Having beaten Liverpool in the fourth round, and earned the replay with Everton via a stoppage-time Smith header earlier this month, the Latics could not contain opponents who sit 58 places above them in the league ladder.

Matt Smith's late consolation was his fourth against either Liverpool or Everton in their cup run

Victory for Everton came as a result of more incisive attacking play in the final third and it ended a sticky period as they claimed their first win in five league and cup games.

It keeps manager David Moyes's quest for a first trophy in his 11 years at the club alive, having guided Everton to last year's semi-finals and the final in 2009.

Contrastingly for Oldham caretaker boss Tony Philliskirk, this was his first defeat during his five-game period in charge.

Although there are uncertainties surrounding Moyes's position as he delays a decision about his future until the end of the season, this was a display which could further help Philliskirk's cause to make his position permanent.

Despite going into the break two goals behind, Oldham were certainly not outclassed. Everton simply passed the ball better and were quick to get it wide as they created the majority of the chances.

In addition to his penalty, Baines also had a shot tipped around the post by Oldham goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, while centre-back James Tarkowski was fortunate not to concede a spot kick when he pulled Nikica Jelavic's shirt.

If anything, Everton were perhaps guilty of not testing Bouzanis more, but in deciding to pass rather than shoot in the build-up to the opener, Gibson made the right decision.

When the ball was recycled back to the Republic of Ireland international on the right, he crossed for Mirallas to meet on the half-volley for a cute finish.

Everton go clear of Oldham

This win now puts Everton in front on their head-to-head record with Oldham. They have won 15 to the Latics' 14 of their 42 games spread over 105 years

Former Everton youth-team player Baxter had impressed in Oldham's FA Cup run this season, and he almost made it a sweet homecoming when he struck the post moments later, while Gibson was fortunate when Phil Jagielka smacked a clearance straight into the midfielder's arms.

Referee Michael Oliver was close at hand to wave Oldham appeals away but had little hesitation in pointing to the spot when the ball struck Brown's arm following a right-wing cross. Baines stepped up to fire under Bouzanis for his seventh goal of the season.

Moyes's side could have gone further in front following the restart but when they did, it was actually Oldham who were in the ascendancy.

Smith, who scored twice against Liverpool in the previous round, came on for Chris Iwelumo and climbed highest from a corner to head in.

Unfortunately, Everton had already added a third by that stage, Bouzanis misjudging Osman's flicked header following Pienaar's left-wing cross.

Gibson could have made the margin greater and although the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game, Oldham will now turn their attentions to widening a one-point gap above the League One relegation zone.

Everton assistant manager Steve Round:

"I thought Oldham put a right shift in and pushed us all the way. They were a credit to the manager and to themselves. I thought they really acquitted themselves right and made it very tough.

"Having said that, I think we matched them for the attitude and then your quality comes through at the end. You saw that with one or two of the goals that we scored and unfortunately we missed a couple of chances to maybe make it a bit more clear-cut."

Oldham caretaker boss Tony Philliskirk:

"My feeling is one of pride, first and foremost. When we went 3-0 down it would have been very easy for people to be thinking it was going to be four or five but I thought we responded magnificently in the second half.

"Ironically, when they scored the third goal we were probably having our best spell in the game. It was disappointing to concede that third but the lads kept going, Matt Smith's got another great goal and I thought we played some smashing stuff in the second half."

Effort on goal by Leighton Baines from 30 yards. Save by Dean Bouzanis. Inswinging corner taken by Kevin Mirallas from the left by-line, Leon Osman has a header from deep inside the six-yard box and clears the crossbar.

26:17

The ball is delivered by Leon Osman, James Tarkowski manages to make a clearance.

26:04

The ball is crossed by Kevin Mirallas, clearance made by Connor Brown.

Comments

Re: Howard v Simpson incidentSimpson certainly has a look at Howard, but after 1st look it's eyes on the ball from both of themDefinitely a foul, but certainly not a bookingIMO Simpson just had a look to see if the goalie was beatable & so challenged.He wouldn't have bothered after the look, if Howard had been starting 2 yards to his leftLike I said, OAFC got nothing from the ref on the day

A just result last night as the "goal" in the last seconds of the first match should never have been allowed with all the pushing and shoving in the goalmouth, especially with the antics of the Oldham goalkeeper. Even last night Oldham were lucky not to have had a couple of players sent off!

If you dont like andy townsends words of wisdom,do what i do turn the sound off,and judge game for yourself with what you see,the Gibson appeal was never a penalty no intent,movement,advantage ,last decent football commentators Wolstenholme and Moore and Peter Jones on radio

Good game last night and pretty fair in the end. A few controversial moments but I don't think it would have altered the end result. Pleased for Latics as they've been working hard and not always been getting the results in the league. I reckon Everton were fortunate to score three though - they didn't create many chances. Bouzanis only had three shots to save - sadly he didn't stop any of them!

Despite looking good going forward, surely Everton must have concerns at the back? They seem very weak at the back in terms of defending crosses and set pieces, they conceded from 2 crosses against Norwich (1 being a corner), 3 crosses over 180 mins against Oldham (2 corners) and another 2 crosses against Villa. Only in 1 of their last 5 games have they not conceded from across (2-0 loss 2 United)

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